Wayne Rooney backed by Fabio Capello as with Manchester derby return in sight

Fabio Capello has confirmed that the saga over Wayne Rooney’s future at
Manchester United will not affect whether the Italian selects him for
England, insisting the only criteria that interests him are the striker’s
performances.

Judgement: Fabio Capello will continue to pick Wayne Rooney as long as his performances merit a place in the England sidePhoto: AP

Rooney is expected to recover from his latest ankle injury in time to be selected for the Manchester derby on Nov 10 and will hope to be in Capello’s squad for the national team’s friendly with France a week later after the England manager revealed he is not concerned by the off-pitch farrago which centred on the striker last week.

“If he is in form, I will play him,” the England manager told an Italian radio station. “Otherwise, no. For anything else, you have to ask [United manager] Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Rooney will still be enjoying his sojourn in Dubai when Ferguson’s side host Wolves in the Carling Cup fourth round at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

He is likely to be replaced by Javier Hernández, the young Mexican striker who scored both goals in United's 2-1 victory at Stoke, their first away from home in the Premier League this season.

It was the latest impressive cameo from a player whose £7 million fee from Mexican side Chivas was seen as a risk when Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the Premier League but which now looks increasingly like a bargain.

Certainly, those at Old Trafford who have seen a number of colts emerge under the Scot’s tuition feel Hernández has all of the abilities and aptitudes to blossom into a genuine star at Old Trafford.

“He is tough,” said Gary Neville, the club captain. “He has grown up in Mexico, but what sets him apart for me is his work-rate every single day. He has got the right attributes and, obviously, you have talent when you come to this club.

“His work-rate and attitude, though, are phenomenal. He works so hard, and he has done so well since he arrived, and he will get rewards for that. He will score lots and lots of goals for us. To be honest, he is one of the most exciting prospects we have seen at the club for some time.”

Hernandez, though, refuses to be carried away by the suggestion he is destined to succeed at Old Trafford, insisting the good form he is enjoying at the start of his career in England is entirely down to the help he has received from his more illustrious team-mates.

“Everything is down to my team-mates,” he said. “They have trust in me, and also the staff. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for me to play with the biggest team in the world, Manchester United. I’m working hard because I want to stay here a long time and win lots of trophies.”